IN MY WORLD
I am a runner. I have this innate ability to run for hours on end, wrapped in my thoughts, in a world of my own
You are too fat, let’s go running. She said.
My running journey started 7 years ago. It came from peer pressure with a gentle probe from a friend. My first run was a torturous 17 kilometres of a trek. I almost died- literally. I swore never to run again – something I do until now – but the following weekend I was at it and again the following weekend then the next and the next and the next.
I am now a running addict, if you may. I run because it gives me life. Running clears my mind and works my heart muscles. Running and hiking fives me a chance to be myself.
My first love was hiking and mountain climbing. Before the running bug bite me, we used to occasionally hike with friends. I still do. In hiking you learn endurance. You walk all day long with your backpack and your thoughts and nature to keep you company. And if you are lucky, companions as crazy as you to lighten your journey. Sometimes you walk for 6 days in a row, like in my most recent adventure; The Ruwenzori mountains. I would wake up early and walk from morning to evening, for 9 days. This I guess explains my resilient nature, the ability to go on and on. In my outdoor activities, I find myself, I get time to think, time to relax. I get to keep fit and healthy. And meet people who are like minded. The best part of it is that I go to new places. It is my excuse to see the world. I practice with different running clubs in Nairobi; Urban Swaras Running Club, Sunday Hash House Harriers and Team Jasho
Through hiking, I have been to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Elgon both Uganda and Kenya), Mt. Meru- Tanzania, and Mt. Ruwenzori
Through running, I have been to Kigali- Kigali Marathon. Moshi- Kilimanjaro marathon, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe- Vic Falls Marathon, Cape Town South Africa, Cape Town Marathon. London- Uk, London Marathon, Berlin, Germany- Berlin Marathon, Chicago, USA, Chicago Marathon and New York, USA, New York Marathon.
As with every activity one undertakes, it is important to measure performance and progress. To measure my running progress and hiking performance, I use two different applications; Garmin Connect and Strava. These are fitness applications and can be found on the Playstore or Appstore. For the actual data collection, I use a hand-worn Garmin watch which I switch on to the required exercise at the beginning of the activity. I also use this watch to track my gym workouts. Garmin has a variety of watches available depending on the functionalities one requires. The fitness apps collect a variety of data including, speed, pace, distance, elevation, heart rate, VO2 Max and is able to present these to you in a chart after your workout. It stores your historical data and can give you your performance over a period of time.
The apps also give you access to a community of like minded people and you can get to connect with many people all over the world. In group workouts it will give you your performance ranking against others who participated with you in the same activity. You can also form group activities and track performance using these apps.
Nyaruai Muhoro is a running enthusiast and the CEO of Infinity Tech Arica.
www.infinitytechafrica.com